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Healing mantra for Mars mission
If astronauts ever make it to Mars, chances are that before they blast off on their epic journey they will be trained on a virtual reality simulator to mend broken bones.
If astronauts ever make it to Mars, chances are that before they blast off on their epic journey they will be trained on a virtual reality simulator to mend broken bones.
The first manned mission to the Red Planet isn`t expected until about 2020, but Swiss surgeons and NASA scientists have already cemented a deal to make sure if limbs are smashed on the way there or during a walkabout they will be able to fix them.
With little room for outer space operating rooms in the cramped confines of the interplanetary express, it will be a case of heal thyself, or each other, for astronauts expected to make the round trip journey that could take two years or more.
So NASA and the Swiss-based Association for the Study of Internal Fixation (AO-ASIF) are developing a computer-based surgical simulator to train surgeons on Earth and astronauts with tickets to Mars in the fine art of trauma surgery.
A prototype for various operations will be available in around 2005.
``If we have simulators, not only orthopedic surgeons can be trained, but NASA could use the simulators to train astronauts, because a journey to Mars will be at least six months. So if they have any injuries another person will have to help their colleague,`` said Dr. Andy Weymann, of the AO foundation, who is working with NASA on the project.
The foundation, a non-profit organization of surgeons, pioneered internal fixation -- using internal stainless steel or titanium plates, nuts and bolts -- instead of plaster casts to heal fractures 40 years ago.
Bureau Report
The first manned mission to the Red Planet isn`t expected until about 2020, but Swiss surgeons and NASA scientists have already cemented a deal to make sure if limbs are smashed on the way there or during a walkabout they will be able to fix them.
With little room for outer space operating rooms in the cramped confines of the interplanetary express, it will be a case of heal thyself, or each other, for astronauts expected to make the round trip journey that could take two years or more.
So NASA and the Swiss-based Association for the Study of Internal Fixation (AO-ASIF) are developing a computer-based surgical simulator to train surgeons on Earth and astronauts with tickets to Mars in the fine art of trauma surgery.
A prototype for various operations will be available in around 2005.
``If we have simulators, not only orthopedic surgeons can be trained, but NASA could use the simulators to train astronauts, because a journey to Mars will be at least six months. So if they have any injuries another person will have to help their colleague,`` said Dr. Andy Weymann, of the AO foundation, who is working with NASA on the project.
The foundation, a non-profit organization of surgeons, pioneered internal fixation -- using internal stainless steel or titanium plates, nuts and bolts -- instead of plaster casts to heal fractures 40 years ago.
Bureau Report